10 Most Satisfying Horror Movie Reveals

Critics at the time may have lambasted They Live for its heavy political message, but it quickly became a cult-classic. Not only did John Carpenter's action-horror-sci-fi flick provide social commentary in an inventive way, it's impossible not to root for the heroic drifter, Nada, portrayed by wrestling legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.

While wearing a special pair of sunglasses, Nada notices all forms of media are layered with secret messages, conditioning the public to remain submissive to authority. By wearing the glasses, Nada also discovers that many people are aliens in disguise, as he realises humanity is being mind-controlled and sets out to desperately wake the masses up. 

During the climax, Piper's protagonist points his gun towards the transmitter that keeps the subliminal messages hidden. As he blasts at the satellite, the aliens shoot Nada, leaving him fatally wounded. At first, it seems like a downer ending, since our hero failed in his mission. However, the very next shot shows two aliens posing as news reporters being exposed on live television, proving the bubble-gum-chewing badass disabled the transmitter before meeting his maker.

It's a pity Nada didn't live long enough to see what he accomplished, but at least he died happy, knowing he freed mankind.